Job 15-17
Dear RTB’ers,
I hope you’ve been reading through John’s “See also…” comments. They are very good – much better than mine!
Today, three chapters in Job, one of our longer daily readings as we begin a second round of Job’s friends’ speeches. First up, Eliphaz again. Although his first speech was probably the least critical of the three friends in his belief in Job’s unrighteousness, he continues in the road that he began, but magnifies his charges against Job. In the last portion of this speech, beginning with “The wicked man writhes in pain all his days…” (v. 15:20a), Eliphaz paints a caricature of a wicked man using a variety of metaphors, essentially tying Job to that caricature. His harshest words depict a wicked man who “has stretched out his hand against God and defies the Almighty, running stubbornly against Him…” (v. 15:25a) Does Eliphaz really believe that Job is actively defying God? Harsh words…!
Job responds again in today’s last two chapters. I love his beginning: …miserable comforters are you all. (v. 16:2b) He argues that if the shoe were on the other foot that he would be that good friend, that gentle comforter. (vv. 16:4-5) Then he continues to argue for his own innocence and believes that God has made him His target: I was at ease, and He broke me apart; He seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; He set me up as His target; His archers surround me. (vv. 16:12-13a) He yearns for death in the hope that in the afterlife he might have an advocate who will argue for him before God: Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he who testifies for me is on high. (v. 16:19) Sadly, Job must wait for death to meet that “witness”.
The contrast is dramatic. Those of us on this side of the Cross do have that “witness” that Job is hoping for, our own advocate in Heaven, Jesus! But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (I John 2:1b) See also Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25, 9:24. Still feeling sorry for Job…!
Blessings!
See also: